Magnus breathed fresh air from the chill of Mountain Alley, looking at the cold giants with a hint of a smile on his face. He felt his body was getting more energetic after standing in a cold region where he was accustomed to prior to his migration.
" Beautiful isn't it? My country is the most beautiful land in this country in my opinion. The northern glaciers, and southern fields can't match our wildlife here.
We hunt and enjoy life together as a family here but the king is getting more greedy. He is demanding our livelihood and so is our internal affairs."
Magnus narrowed his eyes at Grace's remark, thinking it was a calculated move from him since he wasn't with his wife who would handle political talk with envoys and lords.
" Don't bother. I am here to talk with you as a man to man. I know you value the integrity and honor of warriors. Thus, I am willing to offer you kindness if you allow it."
Grace extended his hand to Magnus, signaling he wasn't here for conflict or any kind of scheme. He was here to talk with him as a man.
Magnus's hardened expression melted at his words as he shook his hand to accept his feelings. He could tell that he was speaking the truth from his eyes.
" My friendship isn't cheap, Duke. If you want my sword and shield, I will give it to you. But you have to prove your worth."
Grace didn't flinch at his remark, gesturing his men to bring the item that he prepared for him. He knew Vikings didn't think much of money and so did him which would leave items that were essential to living and surviving.
" I hear you liked our food. I will give you 300 heads of sheep, rabbits, goats, and an assortment of various vegetables and trees along with war supplies."
Magnus rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment before he accepted his gesture. Surely he was speaking with a fair tone, not treating him like a fool.
" That isn't a low number. Why do you persist in getting allied with us so much? I believe there are other powerful nobles who could pressure the crown if you joined your hands."
Grace didn't deny his words, sighing with a sad face to look at the mountains. Honestly, he was tired of scheming behind others and going forth between allies and enemies. Hence, he didn't want to ally with ill intentions in their minds and certainly, he believed in his judgment.
" I am a man with good eyes. I believe you will make my money worth, Magnus."
Magnus burst out with laughter, holding his beard with an amused face. His eyes turned crescent at his praise, thinking this man had good eyes.
Perhaps, this was fate between them. He could tell many similarities between them and he liked him from the start due to his straightforward attitude.
" Quite clever thinking, you got here, Lord Grace."
A woman's voice came out from behind, sending chills down their backs because they were both familiar with this voice.
Grace tried to make an excuse before leaving the room but it was too late as a dagger came flying to him. The cold steel was lodged in the wall while both men looked at each other with helplessness.
The knights tried to stop her but how they could defeat a woman who single-handedly stopped an entire Viking group with her arrows.
She simply grabbed the first coming knight's belt, throwing him over her shoulder while headbutting the next knight and hitting the last knight's gut.
They fell before her eyes, groaning with pale faces as she snorted coldly. For sure they weren't trained heavily but she could tell they had some knowledge.
" I know you were a powerful woman but not to this extent. You were able to take down three knights with your bare fists."
Freyja didn't take his praise as praise because they weren't armed and they weren't experienced fighters like her. In her eyes, they were boys who were fresh out of their mothers' bosoms.
" I didn't know the Lord of Wales had a hobby of talking to someone's husband behind their backs."
Grace laughed dryly, imagining what to do now.